Robert Rankin, Thomas Rankin and Thomas Wright Rankin

Wine Merchants.



The Bristol branch of the Rankin family involved in the Wine trade largely stemmed from two brothers, Robert and Thomas Rankin, both born in Newcastle upon Tyne, sons of Robert Rankin and Ann Cole. Robert was born 28 August 1769 and Thomas was born 14 January 1778.

Robert Rankin was already living at St. Michael on the Mount, Bristol, when he married Margaretta Dobson at St. Leonard & St. Mary, Bromley, Tower Hamlets, on 14 May 1796. He is listed in Evans' directory 1818 as a British Wine Maker at Temple Street, where he resided from around 1812 until at least 1822.

From the Bristol Mirror - Saturday 26 September 1812 page 3: "BRISTOL BRITISH-WINE CONCERN, No. 4, TEMPLE STREET. ROBERT RANKIN & Co. respectfully inform the Public, that their BRITISH WINES will be ready for delivery on the 14th of October, and that Cards of the Terms, &c. &c. may be had at the Concern, where orders will be received."

In 1818 the wine manufactory moved to 10 Corn Street where they made imitation British Champagne among other things. Robert was the Secretary of the Bristol Union Fire & Life Insurance Office from its formation in 1818 until the time of his death at his home, 13 Meridian Place, Clifton on 8 July 1837.

Thomas Rankin, meanwhile, had married Anna Maria Wright by license at St. James, Bristol, on 15 June 1801. He was in business with John Peters in Guinea Street as West India Coopers and Warehouse Keepers until the partnership was dissolved on 1 Sept. 1813, in favour of Thomas. Thomas then went into partnership with Humphrey Jefferys as "Rankin & Jeffereys", Merchants, until that was again dissolved on 21 Feb. 1816. Thomas sells off various odds and ends and his Wine Cellars beging to be advertised in Guinea Street in 1822, dealing in Whitbread's Porter, Brown Stout, in Butts, Barrels and Kilderkins or in Bottle. Thomas also occupied a bonded warehouse in Nelson Street in 1828. By 1830 Thomas Rankin's counting house has appeared in Quay Street. Thomas Rankin died 22 July 1849 aged 71.

Son Thomas Wright Rankin was born to Thomas and Maria on 6 Aug. 1813, baptised at Lewin's Mead Unitarian on 10 March 1814. He joined the firm T. Rankin & Son by Feb. 1834. Just before the death of his father, Thomas Wright Rankin married Hannah Rogers at St. George, Brandon Hill, Bristol on 14 March 1849. By 1861 Thomas had retired as a wine merchant, they had lived at 14 Belle Vue, Clifton.

The premises at 12 Small Street was in use as a vinegar manufacturers by Mr. Alexander Thompson until July 1849 when the premises was sold. The Notice of Removal of Rankin & Sons, Wine & Spirit Merchants, from Quay Street to 12 Small Street was posted in the Bristol Mercury - Saturday 29 March 1851 page 3. The company became Rankin & Taylor in 1852 after merging with William Taylor's firm in Bridgwater. From the Bristol Times and Mirror - Saturday 28 August 1852 page 4: "ALTERATION OF FIRM - 12, Small-Street, Bristol, July 19,1852. RANKIN and SON, Wine-Merchants, inform their Friends and the Public that from this day their Business will be carried on under the Finn of RANKIN and TAYLOR. Rankin and Taylor WINE AND SPIRIT MERCHANTS, BRISTOL AND BRIDGWATER." In Bridgwater the firm was known as Taylor & Rankin. The partnership was officially dissolved on 19 March 1856 (The London Gazette). The firm later reverted to Rankin & Co. until the Small Street premises was finally taken over by Arthur Jeffery Morris in the early 1870s.

Thomas Wright Rankin, late of Burnell House, Worcester Park, Surrey, died on 28 June 1885 at his abode.

2 Gallon Saltglaze Stoneware Flagon Rankin3.jpg
Impressed:  T Rankin & Son / Wine & Spirit Merchts / Quay Street / Bristol


Potter:  unmarked.
Photo courtesy Paul De'Ath.

3 Gallon Stoneware Flagon Rankin1.jpgRankin2.jpg
Impressed:  4457 /  RANKIN & Co / Wine & Spirit Merchants / Small Street / BRISTOL



Potter:  Price + Bristol.

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